I just added to the Pink Ink Studios store is a new card template for Seniors! Stop by and check it out and while you’re there check out some of my pre-made logos I am retiring as well.

This article was previously published at the Pink Ink Studios blog last year but thought it was a good article worth sharing again. Even though it was geared for photographers and creatives there are some key ideas here that can translate to any career and profession.

Every photographer/artist now and again can experience burnout. It’s hard to avoid this feeling when you are so passionate about your art. According to the Mayo Clinic burnout is a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by long-term exposure to demanding work situations. Burnout is the cumulative result of stress.

Since most photographers’ livelihoods depend on working all the time avoiding burnout is a key component of business. Here are a few tips and ideas to avoid or overcome the burnout blues.

• The simple things to do first are slow down, cut back, set boundaries, talk to others, and make time for yourself. Making time for you sounds easy but by taking 1-2 days off a week if possible you can really rejuvenate yourself.
• Blog! Instead of doing the work that causes you stress, take a break and blog about it. Blogging about tips, ideas and techniques is helpful to others and may help change your view on things. Don’t worry you don’t need to be an expert, just be yourself and have fun. You can either blog for your clients or for your peers. Blogging your experiences can be both beneficial as a learning tool to yourself as well as something that other photographers can use as reference.
• Get on Facebook. Facebook is not just for catching up with old friends and playing games — it can also be used as a highly effective business tool. It’s great for marketing your products, landing jobs and connecting with your customers and other photographers. You never know who you will interact with or the opportunities that could present themselves just by logging on.
• Teach or mentor someone else. Besides helping someone else who needs the help or encouragement you might learn something about yourself.
• Think of fun and different ideas for your clients. Instead of offering your clients the “standard” photo package or ideas try to think outside of the box.
• Hire an assistant or interns to help with the daily tasks to free up your time for the fun things you like to do while working.
  Join a professional organization in your area or online. Joining a professional organization will help you to stay on top of what’s happening in industry and it may also help to inspire ideas that in turn could grow your own business. Check out the Professional Photographers of America website for information on a group in your area.
• Make sure you give yourself new and exciting challenges often. If you are a portrait photographer try shooting a landscape photo. By mixing up your subjects you can keep things fresh and fun. Challenging yourself brings out the passion, excitement and enthusiasm in yourself. It helps you to develop your talents and in the process you become a new person. A photographer I spoke to recently mentioned she “don’t necessarily get burnt out on photography but she can get burnt out on what she’s shooting.” She is a portrait/studio photographer but for fun she takes photos of wildlife as a hobby, which helps mix up the day to day work. Check out this link for a complete list of different types of photography options.
• Try to have a hobby or interest that isn’t photography related. I know it sounds hard because everything you do is probably photo related but try to have something else for “fun”. Hobbies can ease your mind and relax you, so start a garden, collect stamps or go to the movies often. Sometimes you just need new experiences to break out of a rut.

There are lots of things you can do to avoid the burnout blues but you need to take the time to address them. Some time alone and reflection can help you think of creative ways to combat feeling like this. Keep an open mind, consider all your options and ask for help along the way if you need it. I hope some of these tips have helped you to think differently and will help you to stay on top of your professional game.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In honor of today (yes, one of my favorite holidays because everyone is wearing GREEN) I decided to have a contest. For every person who spends some GREEN in my Pink Ink Studios store ($10 or more) from now until Saturday (midnight, EST) will be entered to win my Sister Accordion book design for FREE! So are you feeling lucky?

I’ve been designing up a storm lately in preparation for Pink Ink Studios’ March Madness sale. Hence why I’ve been MIA here lately.

So save 25% this week on ALL of my products at Pink Ink Studios! I have TONS of new products in stock which I’m very proud of if I do say so myself. Also be sure to check out all the other wonderful designs that Pink Ink Studios has to offer too!

I’m really lovin’ my new Sisters Accordion Book that I recently did for Dkol Photography. I really am very proud of this piece and I’m so happy it came out as great as it did! If you are interested in a CUSTOM Accordion design to offer your clients, please contact me. They are a really great alternative to the traditional album and super fun! Even if you aren’t a photographer and are interested in me customizing this book for you with your photos, please let me know.

And as an added bonus it’s on sale for you to purchase at Pink Ink Studios. The best thing is that all the layers are customizable, so you can change all the colors and copy to make it work for anything theme.

I realized recently that I haven’t really spent much time scrapbooking lately. I’ve been busy designing for Pink Ink Studios and clients that I haven’t had the time or the motivation to scrap. I know – CRAZY! So hopefully soon I can make some time to get some pages done. I guess sometimes when you aren’t feeling it there isn’t a reason to force it.

Anyways, here are a few new things I have in the store over at Pink Ink Studios. A super cute 4.5×8 accordion book is coming next week as well as a few cards. Stay tuned and have a great weekend!

Pink Ink Studios is having a BIG contest for you with Our Designer Sweepstakes Giveaway! Just visit Pink Ink Studios to learn the details of this prize package worth over $800 all from our designers – I’m giving away a custom logo design worth $250 that you won’t want to miss!

I’ve been busy designing new Valentine’s Day products for Pink Ink Studios. Tell the ones you love this V-day how WILD you are for them! More fun designs coming soon to the store, so check back often.